Spray nozzle

ABSTRACT

A nozzle assembly including a rotary selector head provided with a plurality of integral nozzle tips which are selectively indexed into the fluid-flow line. The novel one-piece body design provides a shield to prevent water from being emitted toward the operator and the unit includes a simple O-ring seal which is spring loaded and pressure biased to prevent leakage.

United States Patent 1 Bartlett 1451 Jan. 16, 1973 SPRAY NOZZLE 3,112,885 12/1963 Bell et al. ..239 394 3,516,611 6/1970 Piggott ..239/391 [76] Inventor Bartlett Route 3,558,061 1 1971 Hansen ..239 394 Filed: April 13, 1971 Primary ExaminerAllen N. Knowles [2]] APPL 133,556 Assistant ExaminerThomas C. Culp, Jr.

- AttorneyEdwin E. Greigg [52] US. Cl ..239/394, 239/397 [51] Int. Cl ..A62c 31/02 [57] ABSTRACT [58] Field of Search ..239/390, 391,392, 394, 397 A nozzle assembly including a rotary selector head provided with a plurality of integral nozzle tips which [56] References Cited are selectively indexed into the fluid-flow line. The novel one-piece body design provides a shield to UNITED STATES PATENTS prevent water from being emitted toward the operator 3,596,835 8/1971 Smith et a1. ..239/394 and the unit includes a simple O-ring seal which is 3,377,028 4/1968 Bruggeman ..239/394 spring loaded and pressure biased to prevent leakage. 3,385,525 5/1968 Jacobs ..239/394 2,790,680 4/1957 Rosholt ..239/394 16 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures I8 5 JZI PATENTEUJAH 16 I915 3.711.029

- LAWRENCE 0 FIG. 5 Y

SPRAY NOZZLE The present invention relates to spray nozzles utilizing a plurality of indexable nozzle orifices and more specifically to new and useful improvements and simplifications thereof.

Heretofore, a number of indexable spray nozzles have been used wherein the assembly comprises many parts to ensure adequate operation and sealing. In US. Pat. No. 3,516,611 to R. G. Piggott there is disclosed an example of an indexable nozzle comprising many parts and wherein indexing is not possible while fluid pressure is exerted due to biasing of a sealing and locking element. These attributes may be desirable under certain commercial conditions, but for consumer use it is more desirable to provide for simplicity which is synonymous with reduced cost and positive positioning with ease of indexing, since the average homeowner is usually operating his spray nozzle some distance from the spigot and does not wish to be constantly turning the water off in order to be able to change the spray pattern. Further, during changing of the spray pattern it is desirable that water be directed away from the operator so that he does not get wet. The rotatable head contains a number of fixed nozzle designs which are chosen to correspond to the most commonly needed spray patterns used in the garden. Where the gardener now may have a multitude of different spray heads and arrangements, with my invention he has only one that is easily adaptable to provide any type of water flow ranging from a light misty spray pattern for watering gardens up to a solid stream of water for rapid filling of buckets, automobile radiators, etc. The plurality of replaceable nozzle elements, such as has been described in previously known inventions, is, as this invention discloses, unnecessary and merely provides an added storage problem, as well as difficulties with replacement thereof, therefore the one-piece cast head becomes a desirable feature from both an economy and utilization viewpoint.

In view of the foregoing, the principal object of this invention is to provide a simplified economical sprayer with multiple nozzles mounted in a selectively rotatable head.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a sprayer with multiple nozzles mounted in a selectively rotatable head wherein the nozzle may be chosen with the water pressure constantly being applied to the nozzle at full force, if desired.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a water control spray device provided with a selectively rotatable nozzle head which includes a knurled peripheral portion to afford an easy grip for the operator to rotate the head. I

It is also an object of this invention to provide a sprayer with a selectively rotatable head wherein a positive seal is provided by using an expanding ring behind the seal surface which is further augmented by water pressure.

The invention will be better understood, and further objects and advantages will become more apparent,

from a reading of the following specification taken in conjunction with the drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the assembled spray head;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view in detail showing the sealing arrangement on an enlarged scale;

FIG. 3 shows a plan view of the bleed-off cavity within the rotatable nozzle head;

FIG. 4 shows a front plan view of the rotatable nozzle head;

FIG. 5 is an elevational view of a staking method on a reduced scale; and

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view on line 66 of FIG. 4.

Turning at this time to FIG. 1, there is shown in cross section a sprayer body portion 10 which includes a perforated planar bottom wall 11, and an outer cylindrical wall or surface 12 which terminates in an annular edge portion 13. Offset to one side of the axis of the body portion is an inlet port 14 which is suitably threaded to receive a standard hose fitting and through which fluid may be supplied, there also being provided concentric with the inlet port 14 a smaller port 16 which is arranged parallel to the axis of the body portion 10, as shown. The shoulder 17, formed between the threaded inlet portion and the perforated area that intersects the apertured head as will be explained in greater detail hereinafter, is provided with an elastic gasket 18 to form a water-tight seal with the fluid supply fitting as is well known in the art.

The apertured nozzle plate 19 is formed complemental to the shape of the main body portion 10 and provided with flutes 20, as is more clearly shown in FIG. 4, for purposes to be discussed later, with the head or nozzle plate being arranged to be received within the bore of body member 10, as shown. Thus, it will be understood that the inner confronting surfaces of the body portion 10 and the nozzle plate 19 are arranged so that rotation can be achieved without appreciable wobble or binding taking place between the respective elements. It is to be noted in FIG. 1 that the knurled surface 20 extends beyond the body 10 which serves to make the nozzle plate easily gripped for ease of rotation while water pressure is applied. Nozzle head 19 is held concentrically with respect to body 10 by shoulder bolt 20b which is passed through bore 21 along the axis of nozzle plate 19, with its threaded portion arranged to enter a suitably drilled and tapped blind hole in body member 10. It will be seen that the shoulder bolt forms a pivotal shaft about which the nozzle head 19 may be rotated with respect to body 10. The length of the shoulder 20a of bolt 20b is just slightly greater than the overall thickness of nozzle plate 19 so that when the shoulder bolt 20b is drawn up tight, there will be a clearance between the nozzle plate 19 and the bottom surface 11 to prevent physical interference and binding, the nozzle plate being urged outwardly by a resilient means 28 that is positioned between a base 28a and a seal means 28b, all of which are surrounded by the concentric walls 25 and 26. The nozzle plate 19 has spaced about its axis a plurality of nozzles 23 integrally formed therewith, as by casting or molding, and each nozzle is spaced from the axis such that during rotation of said nozzle plate, a selected nozzle may be brought into alignment with the outlet port 16 formed through the body 10. The rear face of nozzle plate 19 bears against seal ring 28b.

Referring at this time to FIG. 2, there is shown in an enlarged plan view the principal elements constituting the seal members. The spring 28 is compressed between bottom 28a of recess 27a and O-ring 24, thereby urging seal means 28b tightly against the nozzle plate means 19. The seal ring means 28b is formed with two cylindrical faces which fit smoothly and slidably into recess 27 with the flat sealing face thereof contact ing plate 19 and its other face contacting the fl ring seal means 24, as shown. Thus. it will be seen from the view in FIG. 2 that the O-ring 24 is urged into contact with the juxtaposed annular chamfered face 32 of sealing member 2812 which will as clearly shown from this view form an additional seal between the O-ring 24 and the annular wall 25. Further, the action of the aforesaid construction is shown in FIG. 2 for purposes of illustration and understanding. With this construction water pressure enters perforation 27 thereby gaining access to recess 27a and further helps to urge seal means 28b forwardly against the bottom wall 11. Positive alignment of inlet port 16 and the nozzle ports in nozzle plate 19 is important both from the standpoint of proper sealing and ease of alignment. The method used can be clearly seen by referring back to FIG. 1, wherein there is shown a blind cylindrical hole 33 recessed into the body and diametrically opposite to port 16, as more clearly shown in FIG. 3. Spaced an equal distance from the axis of the body 10 and within the rotatable nozzle are a plurality of spherical depressions which are so arranged that when a nozzle is in direct alignment with port 16, one spherical depression is in direct alignment with the cylindrical hole 33 in surface 11. Supported within the recess 33 is a spring 35 which is in compression between the bottom of recess 33 and a ball 36-thus urging the ball 36 firmly into the spherical depression 34; thus, as nozzle plate 19 is rotated, the ball 36 is forced towards recess 33. When any one of the nozzles 23 and the outlet port 16 are in alignment, ball 36 is forced into a depression 34 giving a positive stop indication which can be felt with the hands.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a C-shaped recess 37 provided in the surface of the body 10 which is made concentric with the axis thereof and which extends almost around the body. However, this arcuate recess doesnot intersect seal support recess 27, its depth being better shown in FIG. 1, and its spacing from the axis being equal to that of the nozzles so that any nozzle which is not in alignment with inlet port 16 is in direct communication with recess 37. Accordingly, with this arrangement recess 37 can function as a bleed-off channel wherein should seal means 24 and 28b fail, or during rotation of the nozzle plate 19 when the seal means may be ineffective, water flowing in the space between the surface 11 of body 10 and nozzle plate 19 will gain access to the recess 37 and flow out through unused nozzles rather than issuing indiscriminately at high velocity from the space between the back of the knurled edge of nozzle plate 19 and.

the shoulder 38 of body 10.

In addition to the improvements in design over former nozzle constructions, reference is made now to at least one way in which the nozzle head and its body portion can be supported on the ground to achieve a particular spray pattern. It is desirable with a sprayer of this type to stake it in position when in use, for example, for watering flowers, and this arrangement provides a means by which the sprayer may be placed on a vertical rod staked in the ground, whereupon the head may assume an angle to the ground for proper trajectory of the water spray. As best shown in FIG. 5, one form of support for this sprayer is illustrated. The body in this view includes a transverse angulated perforation 44 provided in web 4] and the stake 42 is equipped with a hook 43 so that'the perforation 44 can be slipped onto the hook 43 of stake 42 which is placed in the ground. The sprayer head then assumes an angle up due to the weight of the garden hose.

Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown in front elevatiOn a typical integral nozzle plate in which are illustrated five nozzle positions; the full flow aperture 45, radial spray aperture 46, high velocity spray aperture 47, fan-shaped spray aperture 48 and water stopposition 49. It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that any type of water control apertures may be substituted for those shown and still be within the true spirit of this invention since the shape of the nozzles does not affect the construction and indexability of the present invention.

Referring now to FIG. 6, there is shown a cross-sectional view in detail of a valve means 46, the function of which will now be described. The valve means envisions a cylindrical aperture provided in the cast spray head 19, said aperture including a beveled shoulder means 50 arranged to function as the seat of an immovable valve means 46 to permit a circular stream of water to be emitted under pressure between the beveled shoulder means and the immovable valve means. Further, as envisioned in this invention, said immovable valve means provides for construction in the spray head in one of twofashions: that is, by being cast or molded integrally within the spray head 19, or alternatively, by being insertable within the aperture. On the one hand a tight friction fit is provided between the perforated web 51 and the wall 52 of said aperture, or, on the other hand, the base of the web 51 carrying the valve means may be brought into abutment against a stop 53 with the stop means being preset at a predetermined distance from the shoulder means 50 to provide a particular type of spray, i.e. a fine fan-like emission for newly seeded areas or a wider emission for rapid soaking of an area, whichever is desired. It will thus be believed to be apparent that either type of spray may be achieved by merely providing a shank on the valve 46 of a predetermined length, several valves being provided with the assembly when sold.

That which is claimed is:

1. In a nozzle assembly for attachment to a garden hose, the combination comprising, a main body portion including an inlet port for attachment of a garden hose fixture and an outlet port in communication with said inlet port, an annular collar means on said main body portion, a multiply perforated rotatable nozzle plate ineluding means snugly embraced by said collar means means and indexing means permitting predetermined position of said perforations in said nozzle plate over said outlet port.

2. A nozzle assembly as claimed in'claim 1, wherein the seal means is spring-urged into contact with the planar wall of the nozzle plate.

3. In a nozzle assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the seal means comprises a plurality of seal members.

4. In a nozzle assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein means in said recess acts on a seal member to deform it radially in the recess.

5. In a nozzle assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein there is a means to control fluid flow between the respective juxtaposed planar walls in addition to the seal means.

6. In a nozzle assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the recess is in communication with the ports so that fluid pressure supplements the spring pressure against the seal means.

7. In a nozzle assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the main body portion includes means permitting staking thereof onto the ground.

8. In a nozzle assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the main body portion is an integral cast element.

9. In a nozzle assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein the means to control fluid flow is provided in the planar wall of said main body portion and is of an arcuate configuration.

10. In a nozzle assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the perforations provided in said multiply perforated planar wall includes valve means capable of emitting liquid in a circular pattern.

11. In a nozzle assembly as claimed in claim 10, wherein the valve means includes a perforated web-like base portion.

12. In a nozzle assembly for attachment to a garden hose, the combination comprising, a main body portion including means at one end thereof for attachment of a garden hose fixture, fluid flow seal means at the other 7 contact with said seal means and indexing means permitting predetermined positioning of perforations in said nozzle plate with a fluid-flow path, the planar wall of said main body portion including means to control fluid flow between the respective juxtaposed planar walls, said means to control fluid flow provided in the planar wall of said main body portion being of an arcuate configuration.

13. In a nozzle assembly for attachment to a garden hose, the combination comprising, a main body portion including an inlet port for attachment to a garden hose and an outlet port in communication with said inlet port, a multiply perforated rotatable nozzle plate including a planar wall juxtaposed relative to a planar wall of said main body portion and over-lying said outlet port, a seal means surrounding said outlet port in sealing engagement with said nozzle plate, centrally disposed means to retain said nozzle plate in firm contact with said seal mea ns, indexing means permitting predetermined positioning of said perforations in san nozzle plate over said outlet port and means for providing a relief passage means for fluid leaking past said seal means and between said planar walls to prevent said fluid from squirting radially outwardly from between said walls.

14. In a nozzle assembly as claimed in claim 13, wherein said relief passage means comprises an arcuate recess provided in a planar wall.

15. In a nozzle assembly for attachment to a garden hose, the combination comprising, a main body portion including an inlet port for attachment to a garden hose and an outlet port in communication with said inlet port, a multiply perforated rotatable nozzle plate including a planar wall juxtaposed relative to a planar wall of said main body portion and over-lying said outlet port, a seal means surrounding said outlet port in sealing engagement with said nozzle plate, centrally disposed means to retain said nozzle plate in firm contact with said seal means, indexing means permitting predetermined positioning of said perforations in said nozzle plate over said outlet port, an annular collar means on said main body portion embracing said nozzle plate and circumferential means on said nozzle plate extending radially beyond the collar for grasping by the hand of the user to rotate said nozzle plate.

16. In a nozzle assembly for attachment to a garden hose, the combination comprising, a main body portion including an inlet port for attachment to a garden hose and an outlet port in communication with said inlet port, a multiply perforated rotatable nozzle plate including a planar wall juxtaposed relative to a planar wall of said main body portion and over-lying said outlet port, a seal means surrounding said outlet port in sealing engagement with said nozzle plate, centrally disposed means to retain said nozzle plate in firm contact with said seal means, indexing means permitting predetermined positioning of said perforations in said nozzle plate over said outlet port and means on said main body portion for receiving a part of a detachable stake to position said nozzle assembly on a lawn. 

1. In a nozzle assembly for attachment to a garden hose, the combination comprising, a main body portion including an inlet port for attachment of a garden hose fixture and an outlet port in communication with said inlet port, an annular collar means on said main body portion, a multiply perforated rotatable nozzle plate including means snugly embraced by said collar means and including a planar wall juxtaposed relative to a planar wall of said main body portion and overlying said outlet port, a recess in the main body portion surrounding said outlet port, a seal means in said recess and means in said recess urging said seal means into sealing engagement with the nozzle plate, centrally disposed means arranged to retain said nozzle plate within said collar and in firm contact with said seal means and indexing means permitting predetermined position of said perforations in said nozzle plate over said outlet port.
 2. A nozzle assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the seal means is spring-urged into contact with the planar wall of the nozzle plate.
 3. In a nozzle assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the seal means comprises a plurality of seal members.
 4. In a nozzle assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein means in said recess acts on a seal member to deform it radially in the recess.
 5. In a nozzle assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein there is a means to control fluid flow between the respective juxtaposed planar walls in addition to the seal means.
 6. In a nozzle assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the recess is in communication with the ports so that fluid pressure supplements the spring pressure against the seal means.
 7. In a nozzle assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the main body portion includes means permitting staking thereof onto the ground.
 8. In a nozzle assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the main body portion is an integral cast element.
 9. In a nozzle assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein the means to control fluid flow is provided in the planar wall of said main body portion and is of an arcuate configuration.
 10. In a nozzle assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the perforations provided in said multiply perforated planar wall includes valve means capable of emitting liquid in a circular pattern.
 11. In a nozzle assembly as claimed in claim 10, wherein the valve means includes a perforated web-like base portion.
 12. In A nozzle assembly for attachment to a garden hose, the combination comprising, a main body portion including means at one end thereof for attachment of a garden hose fixture, fluid flow seal means at the other end thereof, said body further including a perforated planar wall extending perpendicular to said seal means, an annular collar means on said main body portion, a perforated rotatable nozzle plate including means snugly embraced by said collar plate and including a planar wall juxtaposed relative to the planar wall of said main body portion, centrally disposed means arranged to retain said nozzle plate within said collar and in firm contact with said seal means and indexing means permitting predetermined positioning of perforations in said nozzle plate with a fluid-flow path, the planar wall of said main body portion including means to control fluid flow between the respective juxtaposed planar walls, said means to control fluid flow provided in the planar wall of said main body portion being of an arcuate configuration.
 13. In a nozzle assembly for attachment to a garden hose, the combination comprising, a main body portion including an inlet port for attachment to a garden hose and an outlet port in communication with said inlet port, a multiply perforated rotatable nozzle plate including a planar wall juxtaposed relative to a planar wall of said main body portion and over-lying said outlet port, a seal means surrounding said outlet port in sealing engagement with said nozzle plate, centrally disposed means to retain said nozzle plate in firm contact with said seal means, indexing means permitting predetermined positioning of said perforations in said nozzle plate over said outlet port and means for providing a relief passage means for fluid leaking past said seal means and between said planar walls to prevent said fluid from squirting radially outwardly from between said walls.
 14. In a nozzle assembly as claimed in claim 13, wherein said relief passage means comprises an arcuate recess provided in a planar wall.
 15. In a nozzle assembly for attachment to a garden hose, the combination comprising, a main body portion including an inlet port for attachment to a garden hose and an outlet port in communication with said inlet port, a multiply perforated rotatable nozzle plate including a planar wall juxtaposed relative to a planar wall of said main body portion and over-lying said outlet port, a seal means surrounding said outlet port in sealing engagement with said nozzle plate, centrally disposed means to retain said nozzle plate in firm contact with said seal means, indexing means permitting predetermined positioning of said perforations in said nozzle plate over said outlet port, an annular collar means on said main body portion embracing said nozzle plate and circumferential means on said nozzle plate extending radially beyond the collar for grasping by the hand of the user to rotate said nozzle plate.
 16. In a nozzle assembly for attachment to a garden hose, the combination comprising, a main body portion including an inlet port for attachment to a garden hose and an outlet port in communication with said inlet port, a multiply perforated rotatable nozzle plate including a planar wall juxtaposed relative to a planar wall of said main body portion and over-lying said outlet port, a seal means surrounding said outlet port in sealing engagement with said nozzle plate, centrally disposed means to retain said nozzle plate in firm contact with said seal means, indexing means permitting predetermined positioning of said perforations in said nozzle plate over said outlet port and means on said main body portion for receiving a part of a detachable stake to position said nozzle assembly on a lawn. 